London System

I have think a lot if the London System is the right opening for me and the answer is: "No"!

Why? Because I have better results with the Spanish enxchange variation. I have started every game in my season with d4 (Queens Gambit). I do not know if d4 or e4 is right or better for me. So I play Queens Gambit and Ruy Lopez (exchange variation). I must say that I feel better in positions, where the board is not full with pieces and pawns. So closed games like Indian Defense and QG are not the best opening for me. But I have good results with QG, too.

Blackmar Diemer Gambit for example is an opening which I like because I love it when someone sacrifices material for initiative and assault.

I am studying the book "The amateur´s mind" by Jeremy Silman. Ther I have learn a lot about positional play therby I know how to play in closed games.

Yes I know I should not focus on openings but I have to make a repertoire. So the exchange Variation in the Ruy Lopez is my fave opening (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6). Should I play the QG, the Ruy Lopez or the Blackmar Diemer Gambit? I am overwhelmed! Can anybody help me?

When I learned chess just six years ago I always played 1.e4, the Italian game, and the scotch game and maybe gambit's. I just played very tactical and sharp chess like I do (most times) today. It's tactics that make you a good chess player. Not a load of that in the London system. I'm not saying the London system is bad, you get your pieces out but you are not going to go for a attack in move 5 you see? But that's just how I play chess. And I am getting better and better and better. Tactical play rules!

I know less about the London System than I know about nuclear physics. Nevertheless, I took a look at it, and found this interesting, and rather recent game by Fabiano. I tried it in a bunch of blitz games when the opportunity arose, and mostly got killed. But not always......

In this funny blitz game, it's a case of who can save their knight out-on-limb and who can't.......

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